Abstract

Over the last four decades the synergy between males, sport and masculinity has received much academic enquiry (Anderson and Hargreaves, 2014). A significant body of this research is centred on young males’ development and expression of masculinity in and through Male Physical Education (Connell, 2008). This presentation draws on ethnographic data that focuses on embodied masculinities, power-relations and ‘bullying’ in Male Physical Education. Underpinned by figurational analysis, the development of young males' civilized bodies (Shilling, 2016), as part of their individual gendered civilizing process (Elias, 2012), is applied to critically frame performative aspects within Male Physical Education. Appraisal centres on the significance of dominant corporeal practices in relation to young males’ masculine habitus and their expression of masculine identities, and how these influence power-relations between young males. The social mechanisms that contribute to substantial power disparities, which can often lead to ‘bullying’, are then discussed. Through a combination of adopting this theoretical framework, methodological approach and embodied focus, it is argued that ‘new’ knowledge is added to this field of enquiry.